One Last Word by Nikki Grimes, 120 pages
"In this
collection of poetry, Nikki Grimes looks afresh at the poets of the Harlem
Renaissance -- including voices like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson,
and many more writers of importance and resonance from this era -- by combining
their work with her own original poetry. Using "The Golden Shovel"
poetic method, Grimes has written a collection of poetry that is as gorgeous as
it is thought-provoking. This special book also includes original artwork in
full-color from some of today's most exciting African American illustrators,
who have created pieces of art based on Nikki's original poems. Featuring art
by: Cozbi Cabrera, R. Gregory Christie, Pat Cummings, Jan Spivey Gilchrist,
Nikki Grimes, E. B. Lewis, Frank Morrison, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James
Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, Shadra Strickland, and Elizabeth Zunon. A foreword, an
introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, poet
biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful
resource and reference as well." I
appreciate what Grimes has done with this and even liked some of the poems but
poetry is not my favorite genre so I would probably never pick this book up
again. However, children who like poetry
will almost certainly want to read this.
